SSDI payment dates in September 2018 follow the same schedule as every other month

Social Security deposits SSDI payments on the same day each month, determined by your birth date. The schedule does not change for September 2018 or any other month. If you were born on the 1st through the 10th of any month, you receive your payment on the second Wednesday of each month. If you were born on the 11th through the 20th, you receive it on the third Wednesday. If you were born on the 21st through the 31st, you receive it on the fourth Wednesday.

For September 2018 specifically, this means payments went out on September 12, September 19, or September 26, depending on your birth date. The day you receive your deposit does not shift based on holidays or weekends — Social Security maintains the same Wednesday schedule year-round.

Key Takeaways

  • Your SSDI payment date in September 2018 depends on your birth date, not on the month or year.
  • Birth dates 1–10 receive payment on the second Wednesday; 11–20 on the third Wednesday; 21–31 on the fourth Wednesday.
  • In September 2018, those three Wednesdays were the 12th, 19th, and 26th.
  • Your payment date stays the same every month, so once you know your Wednesday, you can predict your deposit date for any future month.

How to find your specific payment date

You can confirm your exact payment date by logging into your Social Security account at ssa.gov or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Your payment date is also printed on any letter Social Security has sent you about your SSDI case.

If you receive both SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your payment dates may differ. SSDI follows the birth-date schedule described above. SSI payments typically arrive on the first of each month, unless the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case the payment arrives on the last business day before the 1st.

Why Social Security uses a birth-date schedule

Social Security staggered payment dates by birth date to spread the volume of deposits across three weeks instead of processing all payments on a single day. This reduces strain on the banking system and makes it easier for Social Security staff to handle questions and problems that arise after payments go out.

The schedule has been in place since 1997 and applies to all SSDI recipients born after May 1, 1997. If you were born on or before May 1, 1997, you may receive your payment on the 3rd of each month instead, though this group has been gradually transitioning to the birth-date schedule.

What to do if your payment did not arrive on the expected date

If your deposit did not arrive on your scheduled Wednesday in September 2018, first check your bank account to confirm the payment has not already posted. Banks sometimes show deposits with a delay of one or two business days, even though Social Security sent the money on time.

If more than two business days have passed since your payment date and the money has not arrived, contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number ready and be prepared to describe when you expected the payment and which account it should have gone to. Social Security can trace the payment and determine whether it was sent, delayed, or lost.

Payments sent by direct deposit versus check

Nearly all SSDI recipients receive payments by direct deposit to a bank account. If you receive a paper check instead, your payment arrives by mail and may take several additional days to reach you after Social Security processes it. Paper checks for September 2018 would have been mailed on your scheduled payment date but could arrive anywhere from a few days to two weeks later depending on postal service speed in your area.

If you still receive checks and want to switch to direct deposit, you can set this up through your bank or by contacting Social Security. Direct deposit is faster, more find, and eliminates the risk of a check being lost or stolen in the mail.

How September 2018 payment dates compare to other months

The three payment Wednesdays in September 2018 — the 12th, 19th, and 26th — fell in the middle to late part of the month. This is typical for September. In some months, the fourth Wednesday falls very late (near the end of the month), while in others it comes earlier. The exact calendar dates shift from year to year, but your personal payment date relative to your birth date never changes.

If you were planning around your September 2018 payment date, knowing your birth-date group tells you exactly when to expect the money. The same logic applies to any month in any year — once you know your group, you can calculate your payment date by finding the appropriate Wednesday on any calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my September 2018 payment arrive on a different date than usual?

Your payment date should not have changed in September 2018 unless you recently became may be able to access for SSDI or your birth date group was incorrectly recorded. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your correct payment date. If there was an error, Social Security can correct it and explain why the discrepancy occurred.

Does Social Security ever change payment dates for holidays?

No. Social Security maintains the same Wednesday schedule regardless of holidays. If your payment Wednesday falls on a holiday, the deposit still goes out that day. Your bank may show the deposit on the next business day, but Social Security sends it on schedule.

What if I was born on May 1, 1997 — which group am I in?

Social Security considers May 1, 1997 the cutoff date. If you were born on May 1, 1997 or later, you follow the birth-date schedule (second, third, or fourth Wednesday). If you were born before May 1, 1997, you may still be on the older schedule with a payment date of the 3rd of each month, though Social Security has been transitioning this group.

Can I request a different payment date?

No. Social Security assigns your payment date based on your birth date, and you cannot change it. The system is designed to be automatic and predictable. If you need your payment on a specific date for budgeting reasons, you can plan around your assigned Wednesday or speak with your bank about setting up automatic transfers on the day your deposit arrives.